Joe Miller: When ugly politics hails

September 17: It shouldn't be a surprise that a challenger with little name recognition and even fewer ideas on how to lead America forward would resort to the same tired race to the right in the GOP primary, but Joe Miller carved new ground in his win against Lisa Murkowski.

Miller, who won a razor thin margin over incumbent GOP U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski in the August primary, wasted no time in stepping out on the sidewalk, trying to hail votes by using ugly politics that are usually reserved for candidates who don't have any ideas of their own.

For Joe Miller, the two piece fits.

As the proprietor of this blog I make no apologies for my ardent defense of Lisa Murkowski. During our toughest days together in the Alaska State Legislature, Lisa always defended me the way a big sister would her little brother and I damn well intend to do the same.

But this blog is less about my friendship with Lisa than it is about Joe Miller's complete disregard for honesty.

Today Lisa Murkowski has risen to the top of the leadership team in the Senate due to her smarts and common sense. In fact, I'd argue she is one of the few rising stars at a time when Alaskans desperately needs a senior voice in D.C. to protect Alaska.

But GOP primaries have always contained a little bit of nastiness. Every candidate wants to be more conservative than the next to cater to the extreme elements who make up a fair share of primary voters. Saying your more pro-life, or love the constitution more than the other guy always seems to resonate with those who are chronically angry.

Joe Miller and his Tea Party entourage are angry.

At the 2008 Republican State Convention, Miller mounted an unsuccessful coup to oust GOP Party Chairman Randy Ruedrich. In response Miller said he was quitting the party.

"It is my perspective, that until this party can clean up its leadership," Miller said. "I have to resign as District 8 Chair and Interior Regional Chair and therefore register as a nonpartisan voter as soon as the Division of Elections opens on Monday."

Now Miller is back, aided by an endorsement of another quitter, Sarah Palin, and the Tea Party gang.

But Miller's recent mailing that landed in my mailbox on Saturday, comparing positions with Murkowski, tells voters all they need to know about Joe; he has no ideas only anger. Even his positions smack of hypocrisy and a lack of understanding and vision.

Government Bailouts

Miller states that he opposes government bailouts and criticizes Murkowski for voting for the TARP bailout of Wall Street. Would Miller have rather had the entire financial system collapse?

But more importantly, he's been endorsed by Palin who is the epitome of supporting bailouts. Her use of government funds to help friends and neighbors while bailing out a failing dairy is far more egregious than saving the countries banking system.

This is ironic, as Miller states in his mailing, "taxpayers should not be on the hook for the poor business decisions of irresponsible corporations." I guess Palin's dairy bailout is okay, but protecting Americans and their savings accounts is not. 

In fact, the TARP legislation is the only bailout that Murkowski voted for, as she opposed all other attempts to use government funds to bailout the private sector as well as the stimulus. 

She opposed the $800 million stimulus bill, voted to terminate the TARP program as well as opposed spending the remaining $350 TARP funds. She also opposed raising the debt limit and voted to terminate the cash for clunkers program.

Health Care Reform

Miller states that Murkowski is opposed to repeal ObamaCare when in fact Murkowski has voted to repeal the most harmful sections on the bill. But the question remains, what's Joe's solution?

He writes in his direct mailer, "there is no constitutional provision for socialized healthcare." What about the existing Medicare and Medicaid system, does Miller support eliminating those programs?

In fact, for two thirds of the Federal Budget, there is no constitutional provision. NASA, Department of Education, Department of Transportation, Social Security, Medicare, Department of Housing and Homeland Security to name a few.

Does Miller believe every program that isn't explicitly provided for in the constitution should be repealed or just the hot button items like the recently passed health care reforms? Is Miller man enough to advocate eliminating all non-constitutionally mandated programs including Social Security and Medicare?

Meanwhile, Murkowski voted on eight occasions to repeal portions of the health care reform including the individual mandate and the back room deals like the "Cornhusker kickback."

Immigration

Miller states that Murkowski voted for amnesty for illegal aliens and against measures to secure our borders. This again is a distortion of Murkowski's record as she has consistently voted for a sensible immigration plan and has been a vocal advocate of securing the borders.

But again, what's Joe's solution? Is he going to round up the estimated thirteen million illegal immigrants (that equals the population of Pennsylvania) and bus them back to their home land? This will never happen so a sensible immigration plan has to include some kind of transition process where illegals can come out of the shadows and start paying their way.

Meanwhile, Murkowski has voted seven different times to secure the Border by hiring additional patrol agents, increasing the number of detention beds, fencing and vehicle barriers and to add more judges and prosecutors.

Pro-Life

Miller states Lisa is pro-abortion. Well if Murkowski is pro-abortion, then Miller is anti-woman. My question is, who the hell is Joe Miller to decide a woman's personal decision between her doctor and God?

Think about this...he opposes socialized health care (i.e. government dictating health choices) but wants government to dictate this health care choice.  

And what happens if Roe V Wade is overturned (which it never will)? Again, no solutions from Miller concerning the fact that 50% of all abortions are due to unintended pregnancies. Does he support comprehensive sex education or does he believe kids should just say no at a time when Alaska leads the nation in teen sexual activity and sexually transmitted diseases.

Meanwhile, Murkowski has strongly opposed any use of federal funds to pay for abortions and she recently supported a bi-partisan amendment to the health care reform law to bar federal funds for elective abortions except in the case of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother.

Hate Crimes

Ahh yes, ye old hate crimes red herring.

Miller states that Murkowski has voted multiple times with the Democrats to expand federal hate crimes laws and says they violate freedom of speech and extend unequal protection under the law.

Yeah freedom of speech, tell that to Alaskan Natives who have been targeted by paint balls and BB guns in Anchorage or even Juan Varela of Phoenix who was shot in the face last month by his neighbor who was shouting racial slurs, and then told Varela's brother to "hurry up and go back to Mexico or you're gonna die" while brandishing his gun.

It appears Joe Miller is semi pro-life with the exclusion being minorities who are attacked due to their race. 

All in all, when you read and listen to Joe Miller's campaign over the next sixty days, just remember one thing: distortions of Lisa Murkowski's record and ugly attacks seem to be his only campaign platform and that doesn't solve the serious problems this country is facing.

My advice; when Joe Miller hails, keep on driving because you'll be picking up nothing but ugly politics.